16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Acts 16.31

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

These verses have satisfied generations of Protestants and they die as the blind following the blind with both falling into the pit. A love of the truth is more important than a love of those who taught you or who have held this belief historically, perhaps garnering some fame. You can go to many places at this site and understand the truth regarding salvation. In the shortest, simplest way I will suggest the following about John 3.16 and Acts 16.31.

The problem is assuming that “believe” means to mentally accept Jesus and you are saved. Here is where pride takes over and you wrongly think you are guided by the word of God. The pride is in your confidence in WHO TAUGHT YOU TO BELIEVE instead of trusting God’s word. You close your mind to anything different than what you have been taught and you may even claim a special feeling when you were saved and YOU ARE SO SURE. I would suggest you will FIND SURETY IN WHAT GOD DELIVERED AS TRUTH and if you love God you will do ALL HE REQUIRES in relation to salvation and do it for the reason He provides. If someone taught you that BELIEVE INCLUDES OBEDIENCE to the one you believe in, that is to Jesus or otherwise your belief was artificial and unacceptable you might hold to that rather reasonable belief. If you had studied scripture everyday to see if that were the truth you would have found evidence of that everywhere. Over and over again you see that God expects obedience from those who indicate they love Him. There is a great deal of material at this website that will help you understand salvation but all you need to do is to read the scriptures with a love of the truth and stop looking for confirmation of what you already believe. See Conversions of the New Testament or many of the other titles that relate to salvation at this website.

If you think people can easily change scripture in relation to salvation which is so clearly, divinely presented how much confusion can be brought to passages where God uses SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE. God is the most logical, the perfect planner and makes no mistakes in providing His word exactly as needed to obtain His purpose. The Old Testament has a great deal of imagery, of symbolic language and that carries into some places in the New Testament like the book of Revelation. A book which begins:

Revelation 1.1,2

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

The first thing one should notice in the book of Revelation is that the scenes in Revelation involve things that Must Shortly Come To Pass and secondly that the things to follow were Signified or Shown in Signs, Imagery.

We understand the meaning of symbolism in scripture when God explains it as He does in some cases. In other cases, you can understand the imagery if you realize a meaning that is consistent with all other scripture. When Jesus spoke in parables there was imagery and He often explained the parable – then we can be 100% certain of the meaning. In the case of the sower and the seed that falls on diverse grounds; Jesus explains the parable by revealing the seed is the word of God. He then gives a detailed explanation of the parable.

One of the most incredible inventions in religion is the rapture and how these “religionists” mix the tribulation that is mentioned in Matthew 24 in relation to the destruction of Jerusalem with the 1000 year reign mentioned in Revelation into this strange fabrication of the end times. The more amazing thing is that anyone believes it. The damage done is HUGE! Once again the same faulty type of reasoning used to support these doctrines is used to defend the doctrine of salvation held by most of these groups. The root cause is frequently pride and not possessing a quality God refers to as a LOVE OF THE TRUTH. The “rapture doctrine” can be seen as providing a second chance much like the Catholic doctrine of purgatory. If the rapture occurs and you are not one of the “good persons” taken by God then you still have time to recover. The purgatory doctrine allows you to work-off certain “lesser sins” in this place of suffering after your death.

This page is devoted to the End of The World but a side trip to the 1000 year reign of Christ might be helpful since it is a critical part of many end-time inventions. This is indeed a side-bar, because there is much more that can be said to show the total fabrication of the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth.
The ONLY PLACE IN THE BIBLE where there is mention of a 1000 year reign is Revelation 20:1-6. The message of Revelation as discussed above was revealed in signs and symbols and the fulfillment would come to pass shortly.

Revelation 20

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

There are at least SEVEN things that are NOT MENTIONED in Revelation 20 which are ESSENTIAL to the doctrine of PREMILLENIALISM (typical sequential elements of premillenialism are: rapture where church is removed to be with Christ in the air/a 7 year period including the tribulation/the return of Christ with the church that was previously “raptured”/1000 year reign of Christ with the church on earth/final judgment). These missing pieces (things not mentioned in Revelation 20.1-6 that are so intimately associated with premillenialism doctrine are):
> A bodily resurrection
> The second coming of Christ
> A reign of Christ on earth – The whole idea of Christ reigning a 1000 years after His return is non-existent and then to add to this idea by having that reign ON EARTH for 1000 years is simply ridiculous, simply fabricating on the fabrication.
> The literal throne of David
> Jerusalem of Palestine
> The conversion of the Jews
> The church on earth

How can this theory be true when it rests on a text that contains none of the peculiar tenets essential to the doctrine?

Nowhere in scripture is there this idea of Christ reigning on earth for 1000 years. I Corinthians 15:20-28 is consistent with all Scripture such as Matthew 24 and 25, 1 Thessolians 4.13-18 and others in that Christ’s coming for the church is followed immediately by the end of the world and the final judgment.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

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1000 Year Reign – Clarity and Truth

The Book of Revelation is symbolic and even those who take the 1000 years as literal want many other things to be symbolic. Such things discussed in Revelation 20.1-6 including:

The Key
The Chain
The Bottomless Pit
The Dragon, that old Serpent
The Seal upon the Devil
The Souls of the Beheaded

In addition, Revelation is a book wherein numbers are used symbolically throughout, no rule of interpretation would justify making the number 1000 a literal value in Revelation chapter 20. There is a credible interpretation of numbers based on what God has revealed. The number 1000 is a multiple of 10, which is the number meaning fullness or completeness. This reign with Christ 10x10x10 = 1000 indicates an unbroken and full period of rule. Christians realize Christ is ruling over His kingdom since the time of Acts 2. Six represents a number falling short of the perfect number 7 and in triplicate (666) it is the ultimate in failure but not a literal number. The 1000 years of Christ’s reign began when Jesus was raised to sit at the right hand of God and continues until God decides to bring an end to all things. It is a complete and perfect length of time for the reign of Jesus because it was determined by God. The rule (or reign) of Christ will end just following the end of the world when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father. This is interestingly, the end of all rule and all authority and power per 1 Corinthians 15.24.

1 Cor 15:24

24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

Christ on the right hand of God as King over His Kingdom

In the following, we will see Christ at the right hand of God as King over His kingdom. Also, we will show that Christ CANNOT be King reigning on earth for 1000 years. Looking at what God has revealed and understanding His purpose gives us a view of the end of the world much different than the premillennialists. In addition, there would be no reason for such an earthly kingdom but in fact it stands in opposition to God’s plan/purpose.
Let’s begin by looking at how Christ received the power/authority as outlined in the following events.

In Acts 1, the Apostles witness Jesus taken up in the clouds.

Acts 1.9

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

In Acts 2, Peter indicates that Jesus is now at the right hand of God.

Acts 2.32,33

32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Jesus’ reign began in Acts 1.9 and in Acts 2.47 God adds to the church those who obeyed. Jesus now has subjects in His kingdom – the church.

The premillennial theory (typical, most common) is that Christ will reign on David’s literal throne on this literal earth for a literal 1000 years.
Jesus is Prophet, Priest and King and it can be shown that since He ascended to heaven He can never step foot on earth again. This will be demonstrated by looking at just a few verses. You might say, God can do anything and certainly that is true unless God limits Himself. God does limit himself by indicating (for example) He cannot lie and in God’s plan He effectively limits Jesus from placing a foot on the earth when He returns (in the clouds).

First,
There is no scripture in the Bible indicating Christ will ever set foot on earth again.

Second,
Christ cannot reign on earth because Jeremiah 22.30 so indicates.

Jeremiah 22:30

30 Thus says the LORD:
Write this man down as childless,
A man who shall not prosper in his days;
For none of his descendants shall prosper,
Sitting on the throne of David,
And ruling anymore in Judah.

No descendant of David, through the lineage of Jehoiachin, was ever to reign in Judah on David’s literal throne again. Christ is of the earthly lineage of David and there is no possible way for Him to reign on this literal earth in Judah and be in harmony with the prophecy of Jeremiah 22.30. God said there would be no more earthy kings on the throne of David in Jerusalem.

Third,
Christ cannot be a priest on earth. The following not only shows that Christ will rule on His throne AND be a PRIEST but clearly eliminates that throne from being on the earth.

Zechariah 6:13

13 Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD.
He shall bear the glory,
And shall sit and rule on His throne;
So He shall be a priest on His throne,
And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Hebrews also confirms the priesthood of Christ.

Hebrews 4:14

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Hebrews 5:6

6 As He also says in another place:
“ You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”

Hebrews 7:21-28

21 for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him
The LORD has sworn
And will not relent,
You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek,
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Christ became our high priest when He ascended into heaven. That event took place nearly 2000 years ago.

Hebrews 8:1

1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

Jesus is still our high priest today

Hebrews 7:23,24

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

Zechariah prophesied that Christ would be a priest on His throne. But, Hebrews 8.4 indicates if He were on earth He would not be priest at all.

Hebrews 8:3-5

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.
4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;
5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

From the previous section, it is fair to DRAW THE FOLLOWING GOOD CONCLUSION:

Indeed, as Daniel predicted Jesus ascended to power and a kingdom.

Daniel 7:13,14

13 “ I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.

Jesus fulfills the prophecy and His kingdom is His spiritual body, the church.

Acts 1.9-11

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Acts 2.32

32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God,

Jesus is King, sitting at the right hand of God ruling His kingdom for a full and perfect period of time, defined by the Father.

Ephesians 1.20-23

20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Next, Jesus will leave the right hand of God at the specified time – the end of the world.
Jesus comes back as the apostles saw Him leave. Coming in the air from His position at the right hand of God where He is king over His kingdom – the church. He brings those IN Christ (His church) into the air with Him, destroys the earth and those on the earth, presides over the final judgment and returns the kingdom – the church back to the Father.

1 Corinthians 15:24

24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

Jesus in His position at the right hand of God was far above all principality and power and might and dominion (Ephesians 1.20,21). Now, in 1 Corinthians 15.24 all is completed and that includes an end to all rule, all authority and power.

To claim Christ will rule for 1000 years on earth is without any scriptural merit and constitutes adding to and/or taking away from scripture. It is a total fabrication! Why would anyone believe it? Well, because they were taught it and perhaps they also taught others. Many of these people may be “wonderful” people but in God’s eyes they constitute those in God’s plan who He will reject. God’s plan includes living according to the doctrine of Christ and for some strange reason they have chosen to disregard His word. A “deep dive” into “why” many times would show pride is the root cause. God resists the proud!
One of the most basic things taught by God is that the kingdom is in existence today. This is a key understanding in relation to salvation and is denied by those who teach the rapture / tribulation /1000 year reign of Christ on earth because those doctrines fail if the kingdom is in existence. As mentioned, those who misuse scripture in any way often misuse it in relation to salvation. You might want to study deeper to confirm the kingdom’s existence today and that the kingdom is the church.

One last clarification about the 1000 year reign and this may be obvious to you from what has been said and will become even clearer as you read the remainder of this page.

> The kingdom exists today and it is the church
> Jesus is the King sitting at the right hand of God in heaven – He will never set foot on earth again
> Jesus will rule in heaven for a period of time – actually for a symbolic 1000 years (a complete and perfect amount of time) until the Father determines to bring the world to an end. This is the time when God’s plan has its fulfillment – the eternal salvation of souls. As scriptures teach only the Father knows when the end will come – not even the Son.
> Jesus will return in the sky when the Father indicates to receive the church (the spiritual body of Christ) sparing them from the destruction of all physical things

Let’s review what really happens; The sequence of events when Jesus returns. The following is consistent with 1 Corinthians 15.20-28 and ALL scripture.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

(repeated from above for convenience)

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

(verses in parenthesis below are from 1 Corinthians 15.20-28)

First (v 23),
Christ returns in the air taking “those who are Christ’s at His coming” ……… He is coming FROM the right hand of God where He has been reigning over His kingdom, the church.

Second (v24),
Following Christ’s return, “then comes the end” ……….. no additional period of time.
How do we know the end is immediate after Christ’s return? 1) Because there is no period of time mentioned after the return of Christ before the end. AND 2) Further down this page there is a discussion of things that differentiate the destruction of Jerusalem from the end of the world discussed in Matthew 24. One differentiator is a warning versus no warning. The premillennial doctrine essentially creates a warning for the end of the world versus God’s version of a thief in the night.

Third (v25),
“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.” He does not begin His reign AFTER His enemies are destroyed as in the premillennium scenario, but He reigns UNTIL He has put all enemies under His feet. His enemies will all see Him come in the air and every knee shall bow. Romans 14:11 “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

Fourth (v24),
The earth and all those remaining as well as God’s entire physical creation will be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3.10). This is the END mentioned but not elaborated in 1 Corinthians 15.

Fifth(v24,26)
“The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” and “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father.”

Using 1 Corinthians 15. 20-28, 2 Peter 3.10, Romans 14.11 and Revelation 1.7 we can construct the above sequence. This would be consistent with all other scripture. The remaining page below should help refine your understanding. We did not use Matthew 24 or Matthew 25 or 1 Thessalonians 4 and only one verse in Revelation to construct the end of the world. Using those verses and others supports the same conclusion regarding how these events will unfold.

One more thing in preparation for Matthew 24/25 and exposing the “Rapture deceit.” God provides so much to mankind in a study of Acts 2 and how Peter explains the meaning of Joel 2. 28-32 that this information is worth another detour. As mentioned, one way we can be 100% certain of the meaning of symbolic language is to have God explain the meaning. This is what God has done using Peter to explain the meaning of Joel 2.28-32. We will see that without that explanation we might never understand the meaning. There is great synergy in the meaning of Joel 2.28-32 and what we will be looking at in Matthew 24. God expresses significant events in His plan in a similar symbolic fashion.

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Example of Symbolic Language

It is very common to have people twist scripture even when there is no imagery. Many people have taken considerable advantage of others when there is imagery and teach a great deal of their personal interpretations. As always believe what makes sense, perfect sense and especially in consideration of God’s purpose.
Joel 2.28-32 uses considerable imagery and the meaning is revealed in Acts 2.14-26. You can gain some good perspective regarding imagery by considering how God initially had Joel write these passages although Joel or others at the time or even people today without God’s explanation would never understand the meaning. One important understanding about God is that SCRIPTURE HAS A SINGULAR MEANING whether it involves imagery or not. We understand the meaning either when God specifically reveals it or when the meaning is consistent with all other scripture.

Joel 2. 28-32

28 “ And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
30 “ And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
32 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be saved.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,
As the LORD has said,
Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.

Then, we have Peter revealing the meaning of Joel 2.28-32 …. namely “THIS IS WHAT.” THIS, that is, what is happening RIGHT NOW as Peter spoke is the meaning of Joel 2.28-32!

Acts 2:14-21

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
21 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be saved.’

Joel (in Joel 2.28-32) was writing about what was happening here on the day of the first Pentecost after the death of Jesus. Did Joel understand the meaning of what he had written? Certainly, Joel did NOT understand and in fact until Peter reveals, “that THIS IS WHAT was spoken by the prophet Joel” and then quotes from Joel, it would have been unlikely, really impossible to make that connection.

On this day, one of the key aspects of God’s plan was being revealed. In many ways it was the final aspect inasmuch as Jesus had died and now the Means For People To Conquer Sin Was Being Revealed. The imagery of, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood” emphasize the critical nature of this moment, a changing of the order, an upsetting of the very heavens. Did the sun turn to darkness or the moon to blood? Although, God could have done this, there is no indication He did.

What was happening the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus? Faith would be realized for some as they received the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This was a monumental moment in the history of God’s plan and thus the history of mankind. Thousands of years since Genesis 3.15 and now God’s purpose for mankind was beginning to be fulfilled.

We have Peter saying:

Acts 2.29-36

29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
‘ The LORD said to my Lord,
“ Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Could it be clearer, Jesus is both Lord and Christ – know this assuredly as Peter has just proclaimed the resurrection. The reaction of the people was:

Acts 2.37

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

The realization of what had happened (Jesus, the Messiah was crucified) was terrifying and led to the question, “What shall we do?”

Acts 2.38

38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If there was ever clarity, REPENT and be BAPTIZED is that clarity for man’s part! Those who believed (were cut to the heart realizing Jesus was the Christ) asked, “What must we do?” The outcome for YOU is no less than God’s plan for YOU, for mankind – the reconciliation has occurred and that meant the FORGIVENESS OF SINS and the reception of the GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

A great event was now occurring on this first Pentecost after the death of Jesus and that again brings us back to God’s purpose. Jesus had become man, suffered and died and now God was revealing man’s part to reestablish the relationship. God would go on revealing all that pertained to life and godliness by having the Holy Spirit work with the disciples assuring the correct message would be delivered once for all time. God expressed the magnitude of this event in a way man could understand. There was a changing of the order of heavenly things. The old law was nailed to the cross and the doctrine of Christ was being ushered in and what Joel spoke of signified the magnitude AND the result – calling on the Name of the Lord/Salvation. Did the Sun literally turn to darkness and the moon to blood? As mentioned, there is no indication this occurred but these things have the deepest spiritual meaning – man can be reconciled to God and it is revealed what man must do, how man must live! This was the great event awaited since Genesis 3.15. In just moments people would respond to the message delivered by Peter and indeed God would add them to the church, the spiritual body of Christ. They were of course NOT ADDED to the local church; God would be revealing the character, organization and mission of the local church throughout the time the Holy Spirit worked with the disciples.

In Acts 2.39-47, those that gladly received the word were baptized. Again, back to Genesis 3.15, all that God had planned in terms of reconciliation has resulted in ………… RECONCILIATION. Thousands of years that have included so many events since Adam have NOW reached the result God intended!

Acts 2.39-47

39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Everything God has done has a reason and He expresses this to man throughout His word. At times there is symbolism, at times commands, at times God provides an explanation and a man/woman can understand God quite easily if they have the right motive, the right attitude (a love of the truth).

Now, when Moses parted the Red Sea allowing the escape from Pharaoh, that event really happened, as did the literal falling down of the walls of Jericho. These events served God’s purpose at that time. We are capable to make good judgments regarding the literal and non-literal. There is no need to guess when it comes to imagery, either it is certain like in the case where the imagery is explained by God or everything fits perfectly together and is consistent with God’s word, God’s purpose. If there is uncertainty, do not guess! The thing we see so often as in the case of Premillennialism is guessing, speculation, poor assumptions and ultimately a disrespect for God’s word. I doubt people believe they are being disrespectful but minimally they underestimate God’s ability, God’s seriousness, God’s accuracy in relation to His word. The end result of such casual handling of God’s word is the same – the loss of that which is most valuable!

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Back To Matthew 24

Back To Matthew 24

There is imagery in Matthew 24 and it is very understandable, some literal and some representative of what will be coming but not literal. It is all very straight forward if we listen with an ear to understand, but many listen with an ear to be amazed, to know something special – to have some unique knowledge.
Matthew 24 begins with Jesus telling His disciples about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
As a result they ask Jesus,

1) “Tell us, WHEN will these things be?
2) And WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

It is very likely when the question was asked that the disciples thought they were asking about just one event. That is, asking about the temple destruction and the end of the world as happening simultaneously with the return of Jesus. Yet, Jesus’ answer reveals two judgments, two comings and two ends of two different milestones. It is also very clear that the first event He discusses will be associated with certain signs but the second event is totally, absolutely without any signs. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT THE SAME EVENT!
Jesus answers the first question in verses 4-34 and indicates there will be signs of the pending destruction of Jerusalem. Those in Judea should flee to the mountains. Do not tarry but leave without getting your belongings. He tells them that before this time there will be many false prophets and many will be deceived.
Verse 34 Separates The Two Events:

Two Events of Matthew 24

Chart Dividing Matthew 24

Matthew 24.34

34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

The things just discussed (in verses 4-34) refer to the destruction of Jerusalem and the generation Jesus is talking to, “this generation” will see these things. There will be signs for this event and they should flee quickly. The signs of the coming destruction of Jerusalem are very real and include false prophets, earthquakes, famines, wars and NOW the disciples of Jesus know that their generation will experience the destruction of Jerusalem. The legacy, the purpose of the Jews has been completed and the nation of Jews will no longer hold a special position with God. Even more so, God will pour out His wrath on these people.
The problem for premillennialists (rapture, tribulation and 1000 year reign people) is that according to Jesus, all those signs, including the tribulation, occurred during the generation of those living and are therefore already fulfilled. Scripture predicts and history records that the false prophets, earthquakes, famines, wars, etc. did occur in the first century (Acts 5:36-37, Acts 11:28). There were earthquakes in Crete, Smyrna, Melitus, Rome, Laodocia, Colosse, Judea, Chios, Samos, Hieropolis, and Pompei during the period after Jesus made this prediction but before 70 A.D. There were also many wars and rebellions during this time. Paul wrote in Col. 1: 23 that the gospel had been preached to all the world. Jesus prophesying in Matthew 24.14 that this would occur before the end would come.

Matthew 24.14

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Again, all these things occurred before the destruction of Jerusalem and as Jesus said SIGNS WOULD PRECEDE THIS EVENT but there would be NO SIGNS “ANNOUNCING” THE END OF THE WORLD – THE FINAL JUDGMENT. The record of history is perfectly clear that in 70 AD Jerusalem was utterly destroyed. The battle raged for 7 months with approximately 1.1 million killed and nearly 100,000 taken captive.

Luke 21:20,21

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.

As amazing as it may seem Matthew 24 and other places (like Luke 21 above) where this is recorded all point to the destruction of Jerusalem but these same verses are the ones used to teach the rapture, the tribulation following the rapture and much later in the sequence the end of the world. The first question asked of Jesus was when will these things be (after He briefly described the destruction of Jerusalem) and the sign of your coming. Jesus first response is clearly in relation to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Jesus was coming in judgement and indeed the Jews are being judged in this event. They have a long history of disobedience by substituting their traditions for God’s commands. Now, they not only rejected Jesus but were the principal reason for His suffering and death. It is so ironic that the Jews were God’s chosen people to bring Christ over a long lineage with much oversight by God and then they are ultimately responsible for His death.

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Help Understanding Destruction of Jerusalem

Today, thousands of years later, the Destruction of Jerusalem seems very insignificant but it was a major event in history (some have called it the most significant event in history). Jesus understood its importance and wanted His disciples to know what was coming for Jerusalem and the warnings were to help Jewish Christians (living in the city of Jerusalem or nearby) to escape. The importance was much greater than just its human history significance because it OUTWARDLY symbolized the clear break between God and the nation of Israel. First, it was a judgment by God against Israel and in the process the records of the Jewish lineage were destroyed. It is interesting that the very reason for the relationship between God and Israel was to bring Jesus through a very specific lineage. The 14 generations of lineage beginning with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, eventually David, Solomon and finally Joseph, the wife of Mary was no longer solid, firm and unmistakably accurate. Indeed, the purpose fulfilled the correct associations to the tribes could no longer be validated. Actually, an most importantly the break (spiritually) occurred about 70 years earlier when Jesus died and the law of Christ went into effect.

Hebrews 9.15-18

15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.

Now, there is no difference but the answer for all people is being one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-29

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The Destruction of Jerusalem occurred in 70 AD and the city was under siege from March until September that year. 1,100,000 people died during the siege and about 97,000 were taken as slaves. It was perhaps the worst of all massacres and strangely there was more violence from within (in fighting for food) than from the eventual overrun of the city. Reference 2 LinkText near the bottom of this page is a brief account of the Destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Of course, it is one of many different translations from Flavius Josephus, the Jewish Priest historian who became a Roman citizen and collaborated with the Roman army during this time. Josephus was at Jerusalem in 70 AD, advising the the head of the Roman army (future emperor) Titus and translating messages with the Jews generally in relation to their surrender. There is little difference in the accounts from Josephus between translators. There is justification for claiming this among the worst of the world’s massacres although as mentioned much of the violence was internal. The reader can understand the seriousness of God in relation to man’s disobedience as we see the fate of the people whom God had for centuries so carefully protected. So many people fail to see God’s severity and thus never understand God correctly. God is perfect in love and in justice and indeed knows the heart of each person and thus is the perfect judge. God’s desire is perfectly stated in the following two verses:

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Matthew 23:37

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

There will be justice and it will be serious for every human being and mankind needs to understand that God’s love and mercy are all “wrapped-up” in the cross of Christ. As someone once said you can be part of the problem and complain, call God unfair (indicating YOU are more fair) or you can be part of the solution. There is real wisdom, eternal wisdom in obeying God, and also helping those who would likewise desire to be with God in heaven.

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The Abomination Of Desolation

During the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD the temple was destroyed and the “Abomination of Desolation” occurred. This was the Second Jewish temple in Jerusalem and stood in Jerusalem between 516 BC and 70 AD. It replaced the First Temple (referred to as Solomon’s temple on Mount Zion) which was destroyed in 586 BC when the Jewish nation was exiled to Babylon. This first Abomination of Desolation committed by Antiochus Epiphanes took place on December 8, 167 BC. He set up an altar to Baal and/or Zeus in the temple in Jerusalem.
In 70 AD towards the end of the siege the Romans planted their eagles on the now shapeless ruins, over against the eastern gate and offered sacrifices to them proclaiming Titus Imperator with the greatest acclamations of joy. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy concerning the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place (Matthew 24.15). The Eastern Gate was adjacent to the temple and the location of considerable history and where prophecy has been fulfilled. God uses these words (Abomination of Desolation) to describe the significance of the disgrace, the atrocity, the outrage of what occurred at this holy place (that is a place designated, set-aside for God). It occurred with worship to Baal and/or Zeus and now to the pagan worship of Rome and its emperors.
Below is a model of the temple (Herod’s temple) that was destroyed in 70 AD.

Help with verses in Matthew 24

Help With Verses in Matthew 24

Keep in mind we are discussing Matthew 24 with the understanding that verse 34 separates Jesus’ explanation between the destruction of Jerusalem and the coming of Jesus in the air, the end of the world followed by the final judgment. I do not know if the CONTRAST made by Jesus between the judgement of Israel and the judgment of the entire world at a later date was intentional but there is a valuable comparison as shown in the table above. To me the contrast of the destruction of Jerusalem where there are warnings compared to Christ’s return at the end of the world where there are no signs (warnings) is a significant differentiator between the two events. In fact, it would be impossible that only one event was being discussed. Go to chart LinkText
In discussing the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus points to the Abomination of Desolation in verse 15.

Matthew 24:15

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)

Jesus is talking of the destruction of the temple and the Subsequent Abomination of Desolation that we know happened toward the end of the siege. Luke 21.20-22 is very specific in this regard.

Luke 21:20-22

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

The verses that are the most difficult to understand are Matthew 24. 29,30 and 31 – first verses 29 and 30.
Some would teach that Matthew 24.29,30 relate to the coming of Jesus in final judgement at the end of the world. Building on this mistake and many others they associate the tribulation actually occurring during the destruction of Jerusalem, the removal of the church to meet Jesus in the air and the 1000 year reign of Christ in Revelation. Lets look at the meaning of these verses. Remember the context before these verses (v4-v34) is the destruction of Jerusalem and following this Jesus reveals THIS GENERATION (verse 34) will experience these things. Thus we would expect verses 29, 30, and 31 to be related to the destruction of Jerusalem.

Matthew 24. 29,30

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days, that is at the end of the siege the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
THEN, right THEN the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
A person might say, verse 29 could not have occurred in the past since there is no such record of sun, moon and stars being changed in the way indicated. However, in the Old Testament similar language was used to describe the fall of kings and nations. The following are examples of God’s righteous judgment and how he describes their fall.

The burden against Babylon

Isaiah 13:10-13

10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations
Will not give their light;
The sun will be darkened in its going forth,
And the moon will not cause its light to shine.
11 “ I will punish the world for its evil,
And the wicked for their iniquity;
I will halt the arrogance of the proud,
And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold,
A man more than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens,
And the earth will move out of her place,
In the wrath of the LORD of hosts
And in the day of His fierce anger.

You can find similar uses of imagery in the verses below as God emphasizes heavens actions using imagery.
Edom (Isa. 34:4-6)
The Peoples (Isa. 51:5-6)
Judah (Jer. 4:1-6, 23-28)
Egypt (Ezek. 32:7-8)
The Nations (Joel 3:15-16)
Nineveh (Nah. 1:1-5)
Israel (Amos 8:1-2, 9)

Clearly, God uses figurative language and we can understand that similar to the section above on the day of Pentecost after the death of Jesus. Peter proclaimed that Joel’s figurative language was happening that day. It was a CHANGING OF THE ORDER IN HEAVEN or of heavenly things. The Old Law was passing and the law of Christ would permanently remove sin. The reconciliation of man back to God was about occur. We see people entering into that coveted relationship in Acts 2.36-47.
God also uses symbolic language to DESCRIBE JUDGMENTS from Him, from heaven against (for instance) the list directly above. In Isaiah 13.10-13, were the literal heavens shaken moving the earth out of place or the did the stars not give their light or was the sun darkened? No! Man needs to understand that the magnitude of what happened was grave, serious and really more important than if those actual physical events occurred. Significant judgments from God, heavenly changes in the order of things are often described by God in symbolic terms. I believe God does this for the same or similar reason He sometimes speaks in parables and that reason He gives in Luke 8.10.

Luke 8:10

10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’

God has always GRADUALLY revealed information to man PERFECTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS PLAN. Genesis 3.15 is the first example of this with the full understanding occurring thousands of years later. We can see how God following Acts 2 was gradually revealing the characteristics of the local church and such important things as the acceptability of the Gentiles. Until Acts 10 the acceptability of the Gentiles for the kingdom was not understood. Then in Ephesians we see the revelation to man occurs in the fullness of time.

Ephesians 1.7-10

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

God explains that in ages past there was a mystery, that is, no complete understanding of God’s plan. Now, there is no longer a mystery but Jesus AS PROMISED sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all truth.

John 16:13

13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own [authority,] but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

So all truth has been delivered and some of that truth is in symbolic language and again so those who love the truth will understand and those with other motives will not. Indeed, God’s plan is perfect in achieving His goal.

Ephesians 3.3-6

3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel

Matthew 24.30 explained

Now, LETS LOOK AT THE MEANING OF VERSE 30 and indeed this verse can be misunderstood. Yet within the scope of all scripture and understanding God and his purpose, it can be understood.
Jesus said in verse 30, “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory”
Jesus did NOT say, “And then shall appear the Son of Man in heaven” or “then shall appear the sign in
the heaven(s) of the Son of Man.” The phrase is literally: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in the heaven” (Berry’s Interlinear). The phrase “in heaven” denotes the locality of the Son of Man, not the locality of the sign. Jesus was in heaven at the right side of the Father and the sign was the destruction of Jerusalem. That is, the destruction of Jerusalem itself was the sign that the Son of Man was ruling in heaven, because it was the fulfillment of His prediction in Matthew 24.1-34. Indeed, Jesus would be found true in His prophecy, as true as all of God’s prophets (Deut. 18:20-22).

Deuteronomy 18:20-22

20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.
21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’
22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

All the things through verse 34 came to pass as Jesus predicted. All the signs that were in advance of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Abomination of Desolation occurred as Jesus indicated! In Matthew 24.35 Jesus emphasized that His words would endure as is the case with all scripture. The disciples of Jesus knew everything Jesus said would happen in the future would actually occur. Yet the destruction of the city of the Jews IN THEIR GENERATION must have been shocking. Jesus, in verse 35 compares the IMPORTANCE OF HIS WORD to everything else including the Destruction of Jerusalem which He was just discussing and even the destruction of the heavens and earth which He was about to discuss. We need to respect God’s word more than physical heavens and earth …………. in other words more than anything in the earth, anything in the heavens. How can that be? It is quite simply because everything else is temporary, short term gratification. When the DAY comes or your day comes to leave this earth, THEN you will understand, but the important thing is that you understand NOW.

Matthew 24.35

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

As mentioned these three verses (29-31) SEEM to be speaking about the end of the world. Yet, these verses are included as part Jesus’ description of the destruction of Jerusalem. The language used here is called apocalyptic. Whenever a judgment of God is carried out this kind of language is used to demonstrate future prophetic events (see Isaiah 13 where this kind of language is used to describe God’s judgment on Babylon and also Ezekiel 32).

Matthew 24.31

31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This verse (31) IN PARTICULAR seems to be speaking of the end of the world but everything else in this section before verse 35 is related to the destruction of Jerusalem. My recommendation when there is some uncertainty is not to guess but make a good judgment but indicate there is some uncertainty. Thus, with some slight uncertainty, v31 appears to be a reference to his disciples (angels or messengers) bringing the gospel to the four corners of the earth. Jerusalem will be totally destroyed and to some significant extent the disciples of Jesus would be greatly hampered by the Jews of Jerusalem – that will pass with the destruction of Jerusalem. The warning Jesus was giving was to His disciples but He knew they would be preaching the gospel of the kingdom, converting many. Indeed, their number would be multiplied after the gospel message was revealed in Acts 2. The warnings were given to allow His children to escape the terrible devastation to all those living in Jerusalem and the nearby areas. God protects His people, first the Jews over hundreds of years. Verses 29,30 and 31 relate to the destruction of Jerusalem and although there is some difficulty in understanding this, v34 makes the conclusion clear. The event being described would occur to the generation listening to Him tell of the destruction. The Jews and now those of Jewish heritage who were Christians would understand the symbolic language in view of the prophecies. They would fall under God’s protection in this case by the signs giving them warning.

There is one more thing that can be overlooked when discussing PREMILLENIALISM. This one thing places a crushing blow against PREMILLENIALISM. We have seen how there will be no warning of the end of the world, and to make the point in a very powerful way God indicates that not even the Son knows when this will occur. Premillennialists have their rapture followed by the tribulation (two 3.5 year periods with variations), then the return of the church with Christ in victory over the enemy and then setting up the kingdom where the saints rule with Christ for 1000 years on earth. So we have about 1007 years after the rapture before the end comes. There is no purpose for this time (1007 years) and none is given in scripture. NOW, it would seem that we have defined the time of the end, even roughly defined the time and so we have a sign for the end, a warning and much better than a thief in the night. We have the tribulation period and then the 1000 years as a sign, as a warning. God says no warning, premillennialists indicate there will be a warning. How many different ways has scripture been violated to create premillenialism? It was done a long time ago and excites people to this day but people need the truth and need to rightly divide the word of truth.

Over the long history of the Jews they have been a disappointment, a disgrace to God. God allowed their captivity and made various judgments against them. Now, God’s people will be those who have allegiance to His Son and the Jews were to receive a final fatal blow as God rejected them for their rejection of His Son. The mission of Jesus to seek and save the lost would be carried on by those who followed Jesus. This is now the most important thing remaining in God’s plan. That is, to bring the message to the world. In the destruction of Jerusalem, God would be removing a significant 1st century obstacle in two senses:

1) Removing the threats and violence
The persecution of (Jewish)Christians by the Jews would be greatly lessened. Stephen is a good example of a Christian who detailed the historical disobedience of the Jews and was consequently stoned to death. In this one chapter (Acts 7) there is a good overview of Israel’s disobedience and rebellion against God. It is quite amazing but God’s plan for man would not be derailed even by the continual disobedience, disrespect the Jews showed to God. God allowed the abuse to continue and at times blessed the Jews as needed to keep the plan intact but at other times brought judgment by allowing their captivity. Finally, all was fulfilled in Christ and their unfortunate history would be repaid.
There is an interesting thought as we look at the perseverance of God in assuring His plan would succeed. Namely, those who preach the kingdom promised never occurred because the Jews rejected Jesus do not understand God. As mentioned, many key doctrines regarding salvation, the church and the end of the world depend on this ridiculous premise. The Jews have been rejecting God, worshiping idols, and consider all the things Stephen mentions in regard to their disobedience in Acts 7 and realize God still accomplished everything in accordance with His purpose.

2) Bringing clarity to the one message – The doctrine of Christ
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, the Christians of Jewish heritage would understand in a most forceful way that God was totally separated from the Jews as a people. In the early years of Christianity, all the Christians were Jews (until Acts 10) and they were frequently confused over their past beliefs and Christianity. The doctrine of Christ was gradually being revealed. One good example of confusion would be in the area of circumcision. Now, following the destruction of Jerusalem it should be abundantly clear their reliance would be on Jesus and their responsibility would be to bring the gospel to the world. Actually before the destruction of Jerusalem the disciples of Jesus were bringing the gospel to the known world. In fact, we see that before the destruction of Jerusalem the gospel message had been brought to the world (one of the things Jesus predicted before the Destruction of Jerusalem).

Sidebar: Gospel brought to the entire world (Matthew 24.14) – How can this be?

Colossians 1.23

23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Again, some people may have trouble with this because it is hard to understand how every creature under heaven could have been instructed in the Gospel. It would likewise be difficult to believe this could have happened even today. There are likely remote places in the world that have not heard the gospel to this day. Of course, all things are possible with God. The gospel could have been preached to the “known” world or those Paul preached the gospel could have brought the gospel to the world. “Every creature” could be symbolic of the considerable extent the gospel was preached. Maybe God (and Paul) meant the gospel was preached to the world of the Jews which would have been a smaller world more regional in relation to, for instance Paul’s travels. This is how people get into trouble with scripture – by guessing. Therefore I will give you my interpretation:

1) Jesus said the gospel of the kingdom would be preached to all the world
2) Paul said the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven
3) Paul’s reference to the gospel being preached to every creature fulfills the prediction of Jesus required before the destruction of Jerusalem

We may not know HOW this happened but we know Paul said it was done. Those who believe this one verse justifies their belief that this is a reference to the end of time please realize Paul said this was accomplished and very obviously during HIS lifetime!

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End Of The World – Overview

Now, beginning in Matthew 24.36 through Matthew 25.46 Jesus describes the end of the world and it is contrasted with the judgment upon Jerusalem just discussed up to verse 34 (Matthew 24).

Matthew 24.36-44

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The differences in the judgment of Jerusalem and the judgment discussed here of the end of the world are quite strikingly different indicating two judgments and displayed in the chart above (Jesus tells of the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world) – Go to chart LinkText

We have the two men in the field and the two women grinding at the mill and one is taken and the other left. The RAPTURE people (if I can call them that) now have life after this event for those remaining continuing for a period of seven years. The seven years are divided into two three and a half year periods of time with some differentiation, then Christ returns with the church and sets up His kingdom on earth and rules for a 1000 years, and the last event is the final judgment and eternity. Yes, there will be people taken as the passage indicates but there is no indication of a time period following this, but just a series of events. These events WILL FOLLOW IMMEDIATELY after Jesus takes the church into the clouds to be with Him. The events are the destruction of the earth, of the heavens, of those remaining and then the final judgment before Christ resulting in a defined eternity for each person. There will be no tribulation, no earthy battles, no millennium. One of the terrible conclusions of these Premillennialism doctrines is like purgatory and reincarnation there is some sort of a second chance.
1 Thessalonians 4.13-17 is consistent with Matthew 24.36-44 and brings some additional clarity.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Second Peter describes the destruction of the heavens and earth by fire on that DAY of judgment of ungodly men and refers to the same warning as given in Matthew 24.43, that is – NO WARNING but as a thief in the night.

2 Peter 3.7-10

7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

It is interesting how God places verse 8 in the middle of these verses discussing the last day. Verse 9 explains the reason indicating the apparent patience of the Lord. Time does not have meaning for God in that time in no ways binds Him as it does mankind. Waiting a thousand years or waiting one day is not an issue for God because all of God’s plans will happen in the “fullness of time” (really the fullness of His time or the right time). Man, needs to come to repentance during his LIMITED LIFETIME and this is God’s desire and at the center of His purpose for man. So, God in these verses COMFORTS and WARNS mankind at the same time while emphasizing BE READY. God’s love, concern could not be expressed any better than to say, He desires none to perish. Despite God’s best efforts many, most will fail and few will be part of the group mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and Matthew 24.40,41.

Ultimately, people fail because they die in their sins although they are offered forgiveness. Many will be lost because as indicated they did not obey the gospel of Christ. Many who obey God will NOT CONTINUE in faithfulness and fail because they did not remain faithful until death. Despite all these dire indications of a bad eternity for most, you can succeed and help others to succeed. You can make the right decisions. You will fail because YOU made poor choices.

End of The World – Be Ready

There is one more thing that is quite amazing in Matthew 24 and I believe few have actually made this observation. We have discussed Matthew 24.34 as separating Jesus’ answer in reference to the destruction of Jerusalem from His answer to the disciples question regarding the end of the world. The contrast here leads to a reasonable conclusion of heavenly events where God uses symbolic language and where He does not.
It seems God uses symbolism when the revelation (something being foretold) is to be hidden to some while being revealed to others. Symbolism is used (to mention a few) describing the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24.4-34), used in parables, used the Old Testament judgments, used extensively in Revelation, used by Joel and then revealed as the changing of the order in heaven in Acts 2. YET WHEN JESUS DESCRIBES THE END OF THE WORLD THERE IS NO SYMBOLISM. Verses such as as Matthew 24.35-51 through Matthew 25.46 and 1 Thessalonians 4.13-17 and 2 Peter 3.7-10 simply state what is going to happen without symbols.
I created the chart below thinking it might help to understand God in relation to judgments and symbolic language somewhat better.

One might think God is trying to deceive mankind but actually symbolic language plays an important role in God’s purpose. Again if we revisit why God uses parables:

Matthew 13:13

13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

The parables were hidden to certain persons and within all scripture we learn that this would include certain people whose attitudes, character was inconsistent with God’s requirements. They do not see, they do not hear and therefore do not understand because they do not WANT to see, hear or understand. Those who want the truth, love the truth are diligent in finding it, others frequently look for something wrong, some problem and they find it, or think they have. The parables were typically related to the kingdom that Jesus said was at hand. However, in Matthew 25 the parables are easy to understand in their context and relate to the end of the world. The lessons in those two parables are simple:

> Be ready
> Make the most of your life using the abilities God has provided and return more from your abilities than you received. God in His infinite wisdom does not expect more of you than you can possibly produce. God knows your capabilities – it is just one of hundreds of ways that God is fair. God will deliver perfect justice even if you do not see how He will accomplish it.

We discussed how God GRADUALLY revealed His plan beginning in Genesis 3.15. Eventually, clarity about that plan comes in Jesus death, burial and resurrection and the promise to be revealed in Acts 2. Following this, there is another GRADUAL release of critical information by the Holy Spirit to the apostles over much of the first century. The end result is the confirmed word of God delivered once for all time. God has His reasons for how He delivers truth and always related to His purpose. There is no pattern of deception because God desires all to be saved. Instead, in some way God’s use of parables, symbols, and gradual revelation play a part in rightly dividing people for eternity. God will receive those people into heaven who possess the characteristics required by God. Anyone can achieve heaven but there is always a price and in some way usually related to selecting long term gain over short term gratification.

The apparent symbolism of 2 Peter 3.7-10, “in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” IS NOT SYMBOLIC but will occur exactly as God states. Do you wish this were symbolic as in other places God uses symbolic language? There was always a reason for speaking in parables, for using symbols and it was to conceal the meaning from some while allowing the message to be understood by others. In the chart, we see that LIFE CONTINUES past the judgment or the change in order of heavenly things. At the end of the world there is no longer a reason to speak in parables, in symbols. So God simply delivers the message to man very clearly, “the elements will melt with fervent heat.”
God did not use symbolic language in speaking to Noah because there was only a verbal message from God to Noah. The message did not need to be covered, camouflaged in any way. It was almost the end of the world, God sparing only eight souls – Noah’s family. Like all of God’s judgments except the end of the world there was a warning, some notification of what was going to happen. Noah heeded the warning and built the ark to God’s specifications.
Actually there is a warning of the end of the world just no indication of the time it will occur and no sign that might provide some clue that the end is near. The warning is given in Matthew 24.35-51 through Matthew 25.46 and 1 Thessalonians 4.13-17 and 2 Peter 3.7-10. The warning is that there will be an end, a destruction of the physical creation and an accounting for each person. The warning in relation to “when” is given as “Be Ready.”

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God’s Severity – A Righteous Judgment

God’s Severity
A Righteous Judgment

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

One of the differentiators between Jesus separation of the two judgments (Jerusalem and the end of the world in Mathew 24) is the idea of DAYS verses THE DAY or THE HOUR. THE DAY or THE HOUR belongs to the end of the world, whereas days belong to the destruction of Jerusalem. You see DAYS are in reference to the siege of Jerusalem, days are involved and in fact about 7 months of days were involved in the Roman siege. Whereas, THE DAY or That DAY or THE HOUR is a singular Day/singular HOUR when the end shall come.
God’s judgment of Israel (Jerusalem) had warnings and Jesus provided those warnings to His disciples who could provide them to those they taught and obeyed thus becoming children of the KINGDOM (see 2 Thessalonians 1.5 above). That is, those who obeyed the gospel after it was first preached in Acts 2.
God will also be removing His children before the end of the world. It appears the end of the world will be every bit as horrifying as the destruction of Jerusalem – read the account at the end of this page. I suspect the terror will be even more severe than that of Jerusalem because all those who rejected God’s son, Jesus, will realize that indeed He alone provided the answer to a successful life.
Paul and Peter left do doubt about the seriousness of living your life as God directs as can be seen in the verses below. Those with good hearts appreciate the warning but many respond with rage as though they have been threatened. This is not another person threatening you but God, the creator warning you regarding God’s perfect justice and is consistent with God’s desire that none perish. As always, the downfall will be pride and God’s perfect test will perfectly separate those who love God from those who do not.

Note these verses from the scriptures above – 2 Thessalonians 1.8 and 2 Peter 3.7
First, from 2 Thessalonians

8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Second, from 2 Peter

7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

THE DAY, THE HOUR is coming and no one knows when, but THE DAY is most certainly coming. How many people look at the warnings from God and say, “This cannot be God.” It is the greatest challenge of your life, really the only meaningful challenge and you hide behind, “This cannot be God.” God is testing you and failure results from pride, selfishness, and failing to have a love of the truth. You stumble out of the gate and say, “This cannot be God.” Search for truth, understand God and you will be greatly surprised at what you find.

The final judgment: THE DAY arrives and ALL stand before God.

2 Corinthians 5:10

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Do people know their fate when they arrive at the final judgment? It would seem to me that they do know simply because those caught up with Christ are going to succeed in life and those left behind are going to suffer eternal loss. Perhaps you rejected Jesus, and God as the God of the bible and now you see Jesus and you realize what was really important in life. You will also realize it is too late to do anything about your fate. All the reasons for rejecting God and His Son now seem ridiculous. Perhaps you are thinking about excuses, about who was to blame, about those who mislead you. You stand alone in judgment and at some point will understand that God’s mercy was “all wrapped up in the cross.” There is not much said about the judgment except that you will be judged according to how you lived and of course you need a valid conversion resulting in a relationship with Jesus to succeed. There will be no appeals, no excuses, no mistakes because God is perfect as are His judgments – He knows your every vile deed and every noble act – He knows your heart!
God refers to the final judgment as a separation.

Matthew 25:32

32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

People fail because they do not take God’s word seriously and the excuses include words like interpretation, translations, fairness, which-god, which-religion and many others. If you have a love of the truth and determination you can easily sort truth from error. You are ultimately responsible for what you believe, so understand what you believe! Many believe the teachings of men, teachings that perhaps you have mimicked and now are mired deep in their acceptance. Your soul needs to be more important than your pride, then overcoming will be easy.
One page you might wish to read at this website is Believe No One. You will stand alone at the judgment, so understand what you believe!

There has not been much said about Jesus coming or what is referred to as the Second Coming of Jesus. The scriptures do not use the words second coming. The apostles asked Jesus asked what would be the sign of His coming. What do people expect when Jesus comes? I do not know what people think of, perhaps as mentioned in:

1 Thessalonians 4.13 – which is at The End of the world.

“the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God”

OR, they might expect:

Matthew 24.27 – which refers to The destruction of Jerusalem

“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

I think the term second coming is misleading. Jesus came to earth as a man AND as God (John 1.1-4,14).

John 1:1-4 and v14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus came a second time in the judgment of Jerusalem in 70 AD but in the way described on this page. Namely, unseen but in judgment while sitting on the right hand of God and the sign was the fulfillment of Jerusalem’s destruction as He predicted. Finally, Jesus will come at the end of the world but come in the capacity of King in the clouds to take His Kingdom, the church and judge the world. God does not number these comings so it would be wise at this point in history to simply say Jesus is coming again. This time every eye will see Him because it is indeed the end of the world. Following the destruction of Jerusalem, the world has continued. God’s plan involved men being moved to obedience based on faith, an obedient faith (in Jesus) which comes from His word. Thus, faith would be key in the future following the destruction of Jerusalem just as it had been since Acts 2. So, there was no miracle in the sky that day but Jesus came in the sense of judgment. This page emphasizes how God gradually reveals his will, how God limits his revelation to be perfectly aligned with His plan. God’s plan did not allow some spectacular supernatural appearance of Christ at the destruction of Jerusalem. It would not be consistent with His purpose.
The judgment of God against Jerusalem came at the hands of men – the Roman army. In effect, it was God’s judgment against Israel executed by the Roman army.

So, what can you expect in Jesus answer to His disciples regarding His coming? Jesus came originally in weakness as a infant, lived in humility, overcame temptation, was generally rejected by the Jews, suffered greatly and fulfilled the law and the prophets. He was the key for mankind’s reconciliation to God. He said His mission was to seek and save the lost and told His disciples He did not come to bring peace but a sword. The sword would separate those even of a family in relation to following Jesus. The Jews wanted a physical Messiah, perhaps like a warrior that would restore them to greatness. Jesus was about a spiritual mission and His kingdom was not of this world. Strangely, the premillennialists want Jesus to have a physical kingdom on earth and in many ways like the Jews fail to see the spiritual nature of the kingdom.

Now, the disciples must have wondered how Jesus would come again. Jesus would describe two additional times of His coming but neither would have Jesus place a foot on this earth. In both of these future events Jesus coming was in judgment. You could say His comings would be in power, in glory and in judgment. When Jesus comes a final time at the end of the world, every eye will see Him coming in the air:

Revelation 1:7

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Regarding the nature of Jesus coming, what should we understand? We should understand: Jesus came in JUDGMENT of Israel and will come in JUDGMENT of the world! In the judgment of Israel (Jerusalem) the judgment is carried out by the Roman army with the resulting destruction of the city/temple fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus. Jesus coming was as lighting, that is seen in the result and differentiated from the end of the world where Jesus comes in the clouds and every eye sees Him. Jesus at the end of the world delivers the judgment to the earth, it is now very spiritual and all will know Jesus is the Christ. The destruction of Jerusalem was physical (Roman Army). Life would continue after the destruction of Jerusalem and the confirmed word of God was the way people would continue to become children of God. The preaching of the cross, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Now, on THE LAST DAY, God will reveal in the most powerful way that Jesus is Lord. The power of God will be realized by all and is something God did not do when the world was to continue. Can you imagine the magnitude of God’s power before mankind. Jesus coming in the clouds with His mighty angels. Jesus removing those IN Christ, leaving all others. Now, God will disassemble the entire universe before mankind, specifically in fiery destruction. Every person left will suffer destruction with a knowledge of their rejection of the one who is indeed the Creator. Then they will be transported to the judgment scene and then to a very undesirable eternity.
The power of God will be before you – perhaps all those things you wanted to see but in God’s plan you needed to see them by faith. It was never meant to be YOUR way.

People have never experienced anything like the events of that DAY, never in History. The closest thing would have been the creation but none were around for that. God has kept His power hidden with the exception of some miracles observed by a few. God rolled back the Red Sea to allow for the escape of Moses and the Israelites. That must have been something in terms of God’s power but incredibly small compared to what God will execute on that final DAY. There is no longer a reason for God to disguise His power. The opportunity for faith has gone. Jesus, in the clouds, people raising in the air, the destruction of the earth and heavens and then all appearing before the judgment seat of Christ.

Paul provides strong warnings:

Paul writing to God’s people warns them to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” and “knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” (Philippians 2.12 and 2 Corinthians 5.11).
Peter writes regarding the judgment of those in the house of God indicating concern for their final outcome.

1 Peter 4:17

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Indeed, God’s people need to do as the scripture’s admonish, “Be Faithful until death and you shall receive the crown of life.” Indeed, what will be the fate of those who do not obey the gospel of Christ (that is those who are not God’s people).

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Rapture Fabrication-Jesus Return-End Of The World

1) Rapture Fabrication – No 100 Thousand Year reign of Christ on Earth

The Bible says nothing about the rapture. The word “rapture” is not found in God’s Word. Neither is the idea of the “rapture doctrine” in the Bible. It is a doctrine of man, not of God. “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” The “rapture doctrine” as taught by many is the first of several events sometimes referred to as Premillennialism. These events include an eventful 7-year period after the “rapture,” then Jesus returning with His angels to do battle (Armageddon) and eventually the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. Although the word rapture is not used the phenomena of a person being taken and another remaining is true but then following is the end of the world. This is seriously misleading. There are numerous critical errors associated with Premillennialism and they begin with misunderstanding Matthew 24, with denying the kingdom is in existence, and most seriously disrespecting the word of God. That disrespect, mishandling of God’s word continues for most premillennialists in other areas of scripture. Throughout scripture God warns of adding to or taking away from His word, or as Paul relates changing the Gospel and in the latter case for emphasis Paul repeats the admonition and its curse. A great deal of the error in these Premillennialism doctrines (and there are many versions) comes from Revelation. Revelation is the source of much “guessing” done by men in the creation of Premillennialism (and other doctrines). Revelation begins with some key information regarding how to understand Revelation and ends with the strongest of warnings.

Revelation – The Beginning Chapter – Advice for Study of The Book of Revelation

Revelation 1.1-3

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Two times in these verses, God emphasizes these events relate to things that, “must shortly come to pass” and “the time is near.” The other message is that Revelation is a letter full of symbolism, that is signs or signified things. As mentioned earlier on this page symbolism can be correctly understood if God reveals the meaning of the symbols or the meaning is found to be consistent with all scripture. In any case, a great understanding of Old Testament symbolism can be very helpful. Another element aiding in determining the correct meaning is possessing a very good historical understanding of the first few centuries after Acts 2. One additional hint for good understanding of symbolic language is the realization that the message of the previous books of the New Testament carry the same theme as this last book of Revelation. It is the same important message, namely LIFE IS ABOUT THE SOUL and you need to win your personal battle with sin.

Revelation – The Last Chapter – Warning

Revelation also places strong threats against those teaching error from it’s text and does this quite forcefully.

Revelation 22:18-19

18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

2) Jesus Will Return

The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. Jesus Himself promised He would return (John 14:1-3). When Jesus ascended to Heaven, the angels promised He would come again (Acts 1:9-11). The apostle Peter promised that our Lord would return (2 Peter 3:10,11).

3) Jesus Coming for His Kingdom to Deliver it to the Father

The Bible teaches that Christ is coming back to receive His kingdom (church). Please note the words of the apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 15:24

24 “Then cometh the end when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power”

4) At Jesus Coming All Things Will Be Destroyed

When Christ comes again, this earth and everything in it will be destroyed: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

5) At Jesus Coming The Dead Will Be Raised

The Bible teaches that when Christ comes again, the dead will be raised and judgment will take place. Jesus said: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28,29).

6) Then The Final Judgement

The end of the world begins with the return of Jesus in the air to receive His church, then the destruction of the earth and those that remain, then the final judgement, and finally eternity with the saved ones being with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The Bible teaching on the second coming (or as I prefer the return of Jesus in the air) is simple, and easily understood. There is nothing in the Bible, however, about the rapture as used by the millennial groups. Moreover, leaving some behind that might somehow recover their failed lives is inconsistent with God’s plan. God is not a respecter of persons and suddenly those alive (remaining after the church has been received in the air) have another chance. People complain about God’s fairness and make judgments about God from their point of view. God however, will judge without partiality and although you may not understand, God will be perfectly fair and consistent with His purpose.

Romans 2:11

11 For there is no partiality with God.

1 Peter 1:17

17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

Many died before Christ’s return and received no second chance. Recall the story of Lazarus:

Luke 16:20-31

20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’
25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,
28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’
29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’
30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”

The principle is that there is no second chance, no sign of warning other than what God provides in His word. It is a principle in place in the Old Covenant and one that stands today and indeed all people fall under the blanket of Hebrews 9.27.

Hebrews 9:27

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment

There is high synergy between people who teach things like the Rapture, the 1000 year reign of Christ and those who teach wrongly regarding salvation – they suffer from the same malady. Namely, they fail to understand the seriousness of God in relation to His word and the consequences of adding to or taking away from the things God has delivered. Below is the History that really matters for those that have a good understanding of God and life. These are the major events in God’s plan – quite different than how mankind would portray History.

What Really Matters For You and Me

One Thing Remains – The END of our Lives in the natural course of events or this special end that will occur if we are alive at the LAST DAY.
The strong lesson for us to understand is the severity of God towards those who have died in sin or at the time of His coming in the air you are in sin. WHY so severe? Because your sin could have been forgiven. It was God’s plan that you be reconciled to Him through Christ. The severity of God is overwhelming and many reject God for this reason – that is unwise. This might help – God’s Apparent Harshness. Justice has its toughness and with God, perfect justice demands serious and apparently eternal retribution. God is of course, perfect in Love and Fairness. It takes a while to understand God but if you want to understand God correctly, you can! You can see His Love and His Fairness in His warnings. You can also see how mankind left with a free will frequently rejects the creator. The silliness of Premillennialism and its lack any scriptural evidence may allow some to question what they have been taught in relation to salvation. You need to take the word of God as seriously as the seriousness of the coming end of the world. The God of heaven is the God of the Bible!

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References

Matthew 24 Text

Reference 1: Matthew 24

1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),
16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.
18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25 See, I have told you beforehand.
26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.
27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’
49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,
50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,
51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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Destruction of Jerusalem – from Josephus Accounts

Reference 2:
Historical Account of the 70 AD Destruction of Jerusalem
from Josephus accounts

Translated from Kirchenagenda für Ev.-Luth. Gemeinden ungeänderter Augsburgischer Konfession.
Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Missouri, 1922. – D. J. Muehlenbruch, translator.

As the time approached wherein God would at last send forth His wrath against Jerusalem and the Jewish people, even as the Lord Christ Himself had threatened, the entire Jewish kingdom was vexed at every turn. The high priests practiced tyranny against the other priests; there was hatred and jealousy among other officials, and from this mobs and all manner of divisive factions, and much robbery and murder was found in and around Jerusalem. For this reason the Emperor Nero sent Gessius Florus to the Jewish lands. And, compared to him, the Jews were so obstinate in their greed, arrogance and wantonness, the Jews hunted down and killed five thousand of his men. The Jews were also fanatical, because of the will of God, about setting themselves against the Romans and revolting. When the Emperor Nero became aware of this he send Flavius Vespasianus and his son, Titus, to Syria.
Vespatian came to Galilee, which was heavily populated, and laid waste to everything; there being no end of murder, plundering, and fire. Many thousands of Jews were slaughtered, on one occasion as many as fifty thousand valiant men, together with women and children. The soldiers spared neither old nor young, neither the pregnant nor babes in arms. On one occasion Vespatian send six thousand young men as slaves to Achaia, to dig on the Isthmus. Thirty thousand Jewish combatants were sold into bondage. In desperation, five thousand threw themselves off of high cliffs.
At this time there was an admirable man, wise and judicious, a priest among the Jews, and once their leader in war, named Josephus. He had fled with several others to a cave near Jotapata after the first alarm, he had been captured and sent to Vespatian. Since he had prophesied to Vespatian that he would become emperor, he was permitted to live. And this same Josephus has written what we know of this history.
As this was taking place in Galilee, a great crowd of rapacious people, at the instigation of Johannes, one of the great men, came to Jerusalem, so that he might use this rabble to break up the regiment there. There was also much secret murder, robbery and plundering in Jerusalem. It also happened that several high priests were slaughtered, and much blood was spilled, even in the temple. Josephus wrote that twelve thousand of the best and noblest Jews were overtaken in this uproar, and had their houses and possessions given as plunder to the mob and the vulgar and lowly.
So it was, that even before agreeable weather returned, Jerusalem had been plagued with threefold misfortune, namely a war with Rome; with insurrection and all manner of mutiny; and tyranny, which had faction rising against faction, and with the knowledge of the rulers, shedding much blood.
Now, at the beginning of Winter, Vespatian heard that Nero was dead, besieged the city with Roman legions so that he might easily storm and take Jerusalem. Now, since Vespatian was recalled from his legions to become emperor, so that he might go to Egypt, and then to Italy, he gave command of the Jewish campaign to his son, Titus.
Titus established his encampment hear to Jerusalem, and divided the legions to besiege the city from several sides. Meanwhile, a great host of people from all cities and regions were gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. There were also, as mentioned above, three factions in the city seeking to destroy unity and order. One element was the Temple faction, among these Eleazar, son of Simon, was the leader. The Zealots, an evil, hypocritical lot, hostile to the populace, belonged to this faction. In the lesser faction, Johannes, the source of all misfortune, as mentioned above, held sway. The principal faction was controlled by Simon, with the help of twenty thousand Idumeans, sought to save the city from the wantonness and determined intention of the Zealots. Many would have had these guests somewhere else, but they could not be gotten rid of.
When Titus saw that the city was overcrowded beyond counting, hastily armed and reinforced himself in order to lay siege to the city and, as Christ had foretold, to encircle it with wagons so that hunger might drive them to greater distress and anxiety. When the Jews saw this, they with all their might to hinder and prevent this, and to keep it from happening, but it was completed and they were out of lick; For our Lord God wanted to make an end of them.
The city of Jerusalem was well fortified and had three walls. Therefore the Roman forces approached in full force to storm the city; and after much work, the first and second walls conquered and taken. At this same time, an innumerable multitude of people died of hunger, as Josephus wrote. The best of friends would often come to blows over a small piece of bread; children would often rip food from their parents’ mouths. Neither brother nor sister had mercy upon the other. A bushel of corn was more precious than gold. Driven by hunger, some ate manure; some, the cinches of their saddles; some, the leather stripped from their shields; some still had hay in their mouths when their bodies were found; some sought to escape starvation by means of their own filth. So many died of starvation that 115,000 corpses were found in the city and buried. Hegesippus reported that, at one gate alone, several thousand were carried out, and that 600,000 dies because of the siege.
Josephus reported that such a fearful, gruesome event occurred, that future generations would hardly be able to believe it. There was a respected woman, wealthy and well bred, across the Jordan; having fled Jerusalem in fear with some others. Now, since the city had been so grievously beset with hunger, (with what manner of crying and pain, one can only imagine) slaughtered her young child in the cradle, roasted half of it and ate it. When the soldiers came by looking for food, she set the remaining portion before them. The soldiers removed themselves from this gruesome scene, and having mercy upon the miserable woman, revealed this event to the lord of Jerusalem.
The Jews occupied the Castle Antonia, which was a strong fortress; they also occupied the temple compound, from which a stream flowed into the city. It cost more to conquer this fortress than all other the others combined.
Titus, however, fired up his men to storm the fortress by force. When the Romans had taken the castle, the trumpeter sounded a signal and all the Jews who had occupied the castle were slain or thrown from the walls; but some hurriedly escaped to the city in the darkness.
It is said that Titus wanted to spare the temple; but God decreed that it would not be spared. For after men had long walked and worked, and the Jews could not be moved, neither with threats or exhortations, to give up their fortified positions, the soldiers realized that the temple could only be conquered with fire; some of the men it afire. And in that hour the magnificent, exquisite and priceless building, which was celebrated far and wide, burned and was reduced to ashes.
The priests must beg and entreat pitifully to keep themselves alive; but the grace of God and men had run out. Titus, so Hegesippus writes, stated: “Now that their temple and services are gone, the priests are no longer needed.” This destruction of the temple occurred on the tenth day of the month of August.
But the Jews that remained, after the destruction of the temple, in the section of the city not conquered by the Romans, thought to surrender themselves and went to Titus. Although they had not waited too long to make peace, and they did petition for peace and freedom because they were starving and in great need, nothing came of it, as it was only a few days since the city had been taken. Meanwhile, uncountable numbers of people, driven by anxiety and the distress of unbearable hunger, ran from the city into the hands of the enemy camp; there they sold themselves cheaply. It was then that the soldiers became aware that a certain Jew was picking gold which he had swallowed our of his own excrement. Thus a rumor began to spread throughout the entire camp. This rumor caused those soldiers who thought about it to believe that they could find gold in all the Jews who had come out of the city to their encampment. More than two thousand Jews were disemboweled in a single night; and many m ore have suffered the same fate had Titus not decreed that the captives should not be killed.
Finally, the entire city of Jerusalem was conquered, neither young nor old were spared. Then a decree went out that all miserable people who were incapable of offering any resistance should be spared. Also, Jerusalem was thoroughly plundered by the foe, razed, burned and left in ruin. Some buildings were left standing, so that a few Roman soldiers might have been able to stand watch there. Only a few devastated buildings and towers were left standing to indicate that a city had once been there.
Thus the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and razed on the eighth day of September, in the fifth month of the siege.
From the host of captives Titus sent seventeen thousand healthy, young and strong men to Alexandria as quarry slaves. Many Jews were sold as cheaply as animals. Two thousand were distributed across the entire roman empire to become players in the spectacles, and to be torn apart by wild beasts in the arenas.
The total number of captives who remained alive came to ninety-seven thousand; however, at the beginning of the siege, ten times one hundred thousand were in the city, the majority of them strangers and not residents, although all were of Jewish descent and blood.
Thus Jerusalem, the most celebrated city in all of the East, came to a miserable and lamentable end, as had been prophesied, in the seventieth year after the birth of Christ our Lord.

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